Chapter 12: True Dragon Emerges from Shallow Water

Afternoon.

Hengqu School.

Su Qin leaned back in his chair, his mind continuously replaying the events that had just occurred.

He racked his brains but could not understand how a three-year-old toddler could possibly understand his method of Vertical Alliance.

And what was even more terrifying was that this toddler was now actually at the Ninth Grade of Confucian Dao...

Ninth Grade of Confucian Dao!

Advancement in Confucian Dao relies on Haoran Righteous Qi.

Reading the books of the Saint and savoring the intent of the Saint allows one to obtain Haoran Righteous Qi.

Or perhaps one possesses astonishing talent, writes world-shaking essays, or has a mirror-like clear heart, writing books and establishing traditions to gain the recognition of the masses and obtain Haoran Righteous Qi.

Or perhaps one possesses great perseverance, opens a path oneself, and becomes the founder of a lineage, receiving recognition from Heaven and Earth.

Advancement in Confucian Dao is different from others; it emphasizes learning, understanding, and opening and perfecting a path.

Right now, Li Xiang is only three years old; opening a path is fundamentally impossible.

That means he truly understood the Dao of the Vertical Alliance and understood the Dao of the Saint; this is simply inconceivable!!!

How many Confucian Scholars spend their entire lives without entering the gate, wearing out their classics, yet still unable to understand the true Dao of the Saint.

Without understanding the Dao of the Saint, one cannot resonate with Heaven and Earth or summon Haoran Righteous Qi.

But now, a three-year-old toddler!

He actually understood the Dao of the Saint?

And even received recognition from Heaven and Earth?

He is at the Ninth Grade of Confucian Dao?

This is simply the greatest joke in the world!

"Teacher, what is this pale golden thing? It..."

"Don't make noise, let your teacher rest for a while."

Su Qin leaned on his chair, looking at the ceiling of the thatched cottage with somewhat vacant eyes.

He is currently in a phase of doubting life, completely unable to understand why such a monster exists in this world.

Ninth Grade of Confucian Dao...

When he entered the Grade, he was almost twelve years old, right...

At that time, he was still smug, being the fastest student to enter the Grade under his master.

Su Qin glanced at Li Xiang, who was trying to control the Haoran Righteous Qi, and his Dao heart, which had just been repaired, collapsed once again.

Is the gap between people really this large?

Seeing that his teacher was ignoring him, Li Xiang sat on a stool by himself, playing with the Haoran Righteous Qi in his hands.

In his fair, tender little hands, a wisp of pale golden Haoran Qi was currently gathering and dispersing according to his control.

This Haoran Qi is different from Martial Dao Qi and Blood; its control is entirely at will, lingering around his body, extremely smooth to manipulate, and able to change shape perfectly according to his intent.

Although he does not yet know what specific use it has, just playing with it in his hands gives him a feeling of peace of mind.

Haoran Righteous Qi, evil spirits retreat.

It stands to reason that this Haoran Qi is also an extremely profound type of power.

While pondering, Li Xiang suddenly remembered that Su Qin had just used the Haoran Qi in his hand to condense into the character "Suppress".

That character landing on his forehead had calmed his swirling thoughts.

"Is it a divine ability?"

"Or?"

Once the thought arose, Li Xiang could not suppress his emotions.

The Haoran Qi in his hand gathered randomly, condensing toward the character "Suppress" under his intent.

But just as the Haoran Qi began to gather, Li Xiang felt a huge resistance coming from it.

The shape of this character seemed to represent some terrifying meaning, and it was extremely strenuous to condense.

Bang!

The Haoran Qi shattered and scattered again.

Li Xiang was not annoyed; he simply recalled in his mind the way Su Qin had operated the Haoran Righteous Qi just now and began to condense the Haoran Qi in his hands again.

Under the blessing of terrifying comprehension, it took only a moment.

A blurry "Suppress" character took rough shape in Li Xiang's hands.

As for why it was somewhat blurry.

It was not that Li Xiang did not know how to continue condensing, but that the Haoran Qi in his hands was not enough.

He had only just stepped into the Confucian Dao, and the Haoran Qi on his body was very little, not even enough to condense into a complete character.

But even if it was just a blurry half-character, it displayed a touch of profoundness.

Holding the "Suppress" character in his hand, Li Xiang felt a sense of peace, grandeur, as if he were holding the firmament.

The "Suppress" character can not only soothe thoughts, but it also seems to be some kind of sharp killing method, a suppression method.

If the opponent were an evil spirit, once this character fell, it would likely not be the gentle spring breeze from before, but a massive force like a collapsing mountain.

Hmm?

Sensing the flow of Haoran Qi in the room, Su Qin's eyes swept over.

"This is!"

"The art of controlling Qi?!"

"How did he learn it?"

Su Qin felt somewhat numb.

Compared to Martial Dao and Immortal Dao, Confucian Dao, as another extraordinary power system in this world, naturally has its own way of interfering with the mortal world.

Haoran Righteous Qi has many uses; this power bestowed by heaven and earth is, to a certain extent, even more profound than Immortal Dao.

When a Confucian Scholar wields Haoran Righteous Qi, interweaving it with their own philosophy, they can produce terrifying power, controlling the Qi as they wish and condensing it into Divine Patterns.

This is a very idealistic power, and along with the Buddha Light of Fo Men and the witchcraft of sorcery, it is one of the most mysterious powers in this world.

Haoran Righteous Qi condenses into characters; his characters are his Divine Patterns, which can produce power that interferes with heaven and earth.

Even when Confucian Dao is cultivated to a profound realm, one can compose a poem to suppress a nation or drop a brush to startle the heavens, producing terrifying power that interferes with the entire world.

But Li Xiang...

He has only just mastered Haoran Qi, and I haven't even taught him how to use it yet.

How could he possibly...

Never mind, perhaps it is because his name is Li Xiang.

Su Qin felt somewhat numb at this moment; this little child had already brought him too many surprises.

This is not some innate talent; this is a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand ages.

Su Qin has lobbied various states and traveled the world; he has been to no small number of sects and holy lands along the way, and he has seen countless divine sons and prodigies, but this is the first time someone like Li Xiang has made him feel numb.

With this person under the Ghost Valley Sect, one day, my Ghost Valley school will surely be passed down for ten thousand generations!

It is truly unexpected that a small place like Shihe Village could actually raise a True Dragon.

It is truly indescribable.

"Alright, stop playing now."

"Today's lesson shall end here for now."

Su Qin waved his hand gently, dissipating the "Suppress" character condensed by Li Xiang, and the room returned to its ordinary state.

"Little fellow, you learn very quickly."

"In just half a day, you have actually already condensed Haoran Righteous Qi."

"You are a good seedling for studying."

Li Xiang has great talent, but Su Qin is also somewhat worried; with such talent, if he is targeted by evil cultivators, the little fellow might be in mortal danger.

As this thought arose, a flash of sharpness flickered in Su Qin's eyes.

How can I allow others to covet a successor of Ghost Valley?

Immediately, a purple-gold Haoran Righteous Qi silently condensed behind Li Xiang, transforming into a very profound character that slowly landed on Li Xiang's back.

It seemed to have transcended the meaning of a normal character, appearing more like some kind of ancient Divine Pattern.

After doing this, a layer of fine cold sweat appeared on Su Qin's body, his face turned pale, and he looked extremely weak.

"You must promise your teacher that you must never circulate this Haoran Qi in front of others."

"You are still young; you must understand the principle of hiding one's edge, do you understand?"

Su Qin instructed Li Xiang.

"I understand, Teacher! This disciple will keep it in mind!"

Li Xiang nodded, looking at Su Qin with a smile.

A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind; he understands this principle as well.

"Alright, go home first. Your teacher is a bit tired; you don't need to come to the school to find me for the next two days."

"Your teacher needs to rest for a while."

With his goat beard swaying slightly, Su Qin gave instructions to Li Xiang.

"I understand, Sir!"

Immediately, Li Xiang tidied his clothes, bowed to Su Qin, and went home.

But just as he arrived home, Li Xiang heard a shrill female voice.

Pushing open the door, Yun Xiu was holding a blood-stained garment and crying.

Lao San, something has happened!

(End of this chapter)